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Then there was the guilt she felt for actually enjoying all the challenges and problems Back home, she’d had to be contrary and disobedient to find any kind of excites would begin to topple against each other and cause a clatter There was far too much clatter at present, but that didn’t stop her fro at her part in it
Silly fool, she told herself Everything you love is in danger and you’re thinking about how exciting it is?
She needed to find a way to help Susebron In doing so, perhaps she could bring him out froht be able to do so to help her hoht, she almost missed a comment froly in favor of attacking
"Have you not heard of the Idrian agent who has been causing havoc in the city?" the priest asked "The Idrians are preparing for the war! They know that a conflict is inevitable and so they’ve begun to work against us!"
Siri perked up Idrian agents in the city?
"Bah," said another of the priests "The ‘infiltrator’ you speak of is said to be a princess of the royal family That’s obviously a story for the common people Why would a princess come in secret to T’Telir? Theses stories are ridiculous and unfounded"
Siri grimaced That, at least, was obviously true Her sisters were not the types to co her soft-spoken monk of a sister--or even Vivenna in her pri to T’Telir in secret Part of her had a little trouble believing that Vivenna had really been intended to beco to deal with the exotic court and the wild costumes?
Vivenna’s stoic coldness would never have coaxed Susebron out of his imperial mask Vivenna’s obvious disapproval would have alienated her fro the beautiful dresses and would never have appreciated the colors and variety in the city Siri ht not have been ideal for the position, but she was slowly coood choice either
A group of people was approaching along the ay Siri rehts to payabout a relative of yours?" a voice asked
Siri started, spinning Behind her stood a dark-haired goddess wearing a lavish--and revealing--gown of green and silver Like ood head taller than a mortal person, and she looked down at Siri with a raised eyebrow
"YourGrace?" Siri responded, confused
"They’re discussing the faoddess said with a wave of her hand "She’d be a relative of yours, if she really does have the Royal Locks"
Siri glanced back at the priests "They must be mistaken I’m the only princess here"
"The stories of her are quite pervasive"
Siri fell silent
"My Lightsong has taken a liking to you, Princess," the goddess said, folding her arms
"He has been very kind to e--that of the person she was, only less threatening A little oddess you are, Your Grace?"
"I aoddess said
"I am pleased to meet you"
"No you aren’t," Blushweaver said She leaned in, eyes narrowing "I don’t like what you’re doing here"
"Excuse er "He’s a betterhi him into your schemes"
"I don’t knohat you mean"
"You don’t fool me with your false na&iuood person--one of the last ones we have left in this court If you taint him, I will destroy you Do you understand?"
Siri nodded du, "Find someone else’s bed to clio, shocked When she finally regained her composure, she blushed furiously, then fled
BY THE TIME she got back to the palace, Siri was quite ready for her bath She entered the bathing cha wo, then exited to prepare the evening’s gown That left Siri in the hands of a group of lesser attendants, the ones whose job it was to follow her into the massive tub and scrub her clean
Siri relaxed and leaned back, sighing as the wo fully clothed in the deep water--pulled her hair straight then cut ht
For a few et the threats to her people and her husband She even let herself forget Blushweaver and her snappishShe just enjoyed the heat and the scents of the perfumed water